Comparison of important parameters of spring and winter barley cultivated in sugar beet production area of Czech Republic

Abstract

Both spring and winter barley were sown after a forecrop of winter rape. Three registered model varieties of six row and two row winter barley reached in the period 1999–2001 significantly higher yield than three model varieties of spring barley. Two row spring and winter varieties produced significantly higher thousand grain weight (TGW) than six row winter barley. The resistance to diseases and lodging (correlation coefficient with resistance to powdery mildew represent 0.68**, rust 0.72*, lodging 0.61**) was the most important factor determining the yield. Resistance to rust has influenced sieving on 2.5 mm, correlation coefficient reached value 0.88**. No significant differences were determined in any malting quality parameter when varieties of two row winter barley variety (Tiffany), and spring barley varieties (Akcent and Tolar) were compared. Variety Tolar reached higher parameters for friability and a beta glucan content. Between years, significant differences were found in following parameters: protein content and apparent degree of attenuation. Due to reduction of area sown with spring barley and reduced yield potential, two row winter barley varieties with comparable malting parameters are recommended to be cultivated as the reserve crop for malting barley industry demands.